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May 23, 2011 - 8:48am
#1
pre-pro advice in the $1500 to $3000 range
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In that price range, the usual cutting-edge suspects, imho, are
I do not know anything about Sirius facilities but you can look them up on the web.
As for the lack of an audition, I really wonder if that is meaningful. There are so many variables in auditioning any stereo/analog audio component which hinge on the speaker setup and room acoustics. For MCH, those variables increase to include more speakers and the obligatory complexity of multichannel setup which few showrooms have bothered to do carefully.
Kal
I appreciate the feedback but it was a bit disappointing. I was hoping for some other choices largely because I find Onkyo to be a bit cold and sterile sounding. Looks like I am either raising my budget or waiting for the Marantz.
I wonder under what conditions you judged the Onkyo.
I did get to demo a $2000 Onkyo receiver, a $2000 Denon receiver, and an NAD pre-pro on Sunfire HRS speakers I have with an HRS 8 sub. I don't know the model numbers, but at those price points they must be darn close to the flagship models.
On the HRS speakers, I found the Onkyo to be cold and sterile. The NAD and Denon sounded warmer and more balanced.
In fairness, on the Polk and KEF speakers I was considering, the NAD and Dennon sounded a bit flat while the Onkyo sounded warm and balanced. Additionally, I am using an Onkyo receiver as a substitute at home until I get the final pre-pro and it sounds so-so on my HRSs. On the other hand, in my family room with my Polk speakers, the Onkyo sounds tremendous.
In fairness, I should have said I find the Onkyo equipment to be cold and sterile through the Sunfire speakers.
OK. That was my point. The context of the audition (including how it was set up and how any roomEQ was set up) is critical. Your experience is good evidence of that.
Kal
I am very impressed. The audio quality is exceptional. Much clearer reproduction than with my Onkyo receiver. I am literally hearing things that I have not heard in movies I have seen several times. I ran Audyssey and the new version worked great. It properly recognized all the speakers and the distances were correct. I haven't needed to tweak any settings and the sound is great.
The Apple AirPlay feature is now free with the device and it is the feature that makes this thing extraordinary. The Windows based network control built into the device is on-screen but clunky and very slow. AirPlay allows you to control the audio from your iphone or ipad and is fast. The instructions to set it up were not to be found. I figured it out by reading the Ad on the Marantz site but it was easy enough and is a fantastic feature.
After 15 hours, I would strongly advocate it. I could not be happier. Hopefully I will feel this way in 6 months.
Are you still happy with your purchase?
After about 9 months and countless hours, I love the final setup. The Marantz Pre/Pro is extraordinary. I haven't had a moments trouble and haven't messed with settings in months. For soundtracks, the reproduction is clear and crisp. Video is just as clear and crisp. The thing that has surprised me is how exceptional the the stereo audio reproduction is. I migrated from Carver separates and the reduction in distortion comparatively with the Marantz is surprising. It is most obvious when listening to classical and jazz on the turntable. There is just no hum or airiness. I could not be happier.